From Clark Moustakas, Existential Psychotherapy and the Interpretation of Dreams (Northvale, New Jersey: Jason Aronson Inc., 1994), pp. 111-132.
In this study on existential dream analysis, Moustakas presents a procedure for dream analysis involving five processes: incubating and recording the dream; determining the horizons of the dream; clustering the horizons and deriving themes; determining the existential a priori; and, developing a course of action.
Incubating and recording the dream. The dreamer should make a ritual of preparing the dream space and readying to receive the dreams. The dreamer can make a request for a dream to address a problem or open up new awareness or understanding about a particular situation. A dreamer can help to remember dreams by priming themselves to do so before bed, as well as having a recorder or pen and paper close to hand. As soon as the dreamer wakes, they should record the dream as fully as they can, as well as any associations, thoughts, or feelings that come to their mind. There is a window of a few seconds as one is coming out of the dream state during which one will retain memory of the dream. Record the dream then. The dream can be read silently or aloud to help grasp the phenomena.
Determining the horizons of the dream. Each phenomenon of the dream (feelings, thoughts, visions, situations, people, events) is a horizon of the dreamer, pointing to aspects of the dreamer’s waking life. The horizons will be spontaneously identified and amplified by the dreamer, and can be amplified through free association or thoughtful contemplation. This can be achieved by reading through or retelling the dream, with the dreamer pausing on phrases or words which have particular significance for them. Then the dreamer can give examples of recent experiences that connect with each horizon. This will allow the dreamer to make connections between the phenomena of the dream and those of waking life. Note, however, that this is not a symbolic interpretation aiming to get at a ‘hidden meaning’. Meaning should arise through the dreamer’s reflection and frame of reference.
Clustering the horizons and deriving themes. Noticing if there are any recurring elements in the horizons will indicate the core themes of the dream. These could lead to a clear understanding of the dream, or they might need further exploration. Moustakas offers an example of a dream with these two horizons: all the piles of work to be done had been removed; and, my life could turn toward simplicity and order. Through amplification, Moustakas arrives are the core theme: seeking a balance between work and relaxation.
Determining the existential a priori. The existential a priori is the existential theme underlying all the other themes in the dream. It is a predisposition that accounts for how the dreamer relates to the world. The existential a priori is not necessarily positive, but is one of the dreamer’s core beliefs. It will express something of significance, and provide insight into possibilities for change. An example of an existential a prior is: everything in life is either good or evil.
Developing a course of action. Finally, a course of action can be developed that moves the dreamer toward the existential a priori, or away from it, in extremes or in degrees. This course of action can be tracked over time.
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